OutdoorNebraska

14 gene c poten al through incidental breeding with cap ve-reared pheasants. Although wide-scale predator control measures can be expensive, controversial, and inefficient, the use of more targeted predator control methods might prove effec ve. The plan calls for determining how and where such methods might be successful and efficient, and looks at possible regula on changes that would encourage trappers to increase their take of pheasant predators. Finally, there is a con nued need for childhood and adult educa on programs designed to foster an apprecia on of wildlife and the natural world. To help meet the objec ve of this plan, programs should be con nued or developed for current and future landowners of all ages that recognize their specific needs and interests. Literature Cited Jorgensen, C.F., L.A. Powell, J.J. Lusk, A.A. Bishop, and J.J. Fontaine. 2014. Assessing landscape constraints on species abundance: Does the neighborhood limit species response to local habitat conserva on programs? PLoS ONE 9(6): e99339. Ma hews, T. 2009. Produc vity and habitat selec on of ring-necked pheasants and greater prairie-chickens in Nebraska. Ph.D. Disserta on, University of Nebraska, Lincoln. Rodgers. R. D. 1999. Why haven't pheasant popula ons in western Kansas increased with CRP? Wildlife Society Bulle n 27:654-665. B1) NGPC Private Lands Programs Strategies • Use the best available informa on about pheasant-habitat rela ons, landscape effects on pheasant popula on poten al, and social science on landowner a tudes to iden fy which regions of the state to create and maintain pheasant focus areas • Improve habitat on private lands surrounding high priority WMAs to maximize pheasant popula on responses to WMA improvements • Create and maintain more and/or higher quality habitat in pheasant focus areas • Develop and maintain partnerships with private landowners, conserva on organiza ons, and local, state, and federal en es to promote and accomplish habitat management for pheasants • Leverage grassland habitat management ac vi es to provide pheasant benefits where appropriate Tactics Con nue the focus area and partnership approach to habitat management as described in previous Focus on Pheasants plans when priori zing habitat work Con nue delivering pheasant habitat on private lands through the Wheat Stubble Management Program, WILD Nebraska, Nebraska Environmental Trust and federal aid grant funded programs, the Meridian Quail Ini a ve, habitat enhancement programs associated with Open Fields and Waters and other public access programs, and grassland-related work through the Nebraska Natural Legacy Project Con nue to refine focus areas, define pheasant opportunity areas, and set habitat and access goals for each as appropriate Begin construc on of a spa al assessment tool capable of more reliably iden fying areas where addi onal habitat management is likely to yield the greatest results Begin to secure Nebraska Environmental Trust and other outside funding for key habitat work (e.g., a project focusing on providing pheasant, quail, and pollinator habitat on public and private lands) Begin to use the results of the recent Conserva on Reserve Program landowner survey to create be er program op ons

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